Photos Don’t Lie: Yu Yuan Tan Park is Bursting with Cherry Blossoms

In CityWeekend magazine’s recent cover story “Journey to the West (of Beijing)”, they highlight a part of Beijing often ignored and unknown to most of us based on the east side of the Forbidden City. The article sites many of the attractions, museums, parks, shopping and dining that make a trip west worth the effort (it’s really not as far as you might think). I can’t say I’d have much interest in seeing the Military Museum or the sad animals in the Beijing Zoo, but the bit about Yu Yuan Tan Park 玉渊潭公园boasting “Beijing’s Best Cherry Blossoms” stopped me in my tracks.

“Whether cruising the big lake in the shadow of the CCTV Tower or skipping along winding paths, Yu Yuan Tan, the Jade Lake Park, is a perennial favorite for springtime cherry blossom peeping.”– CityWeekend’s Article “Journey to the West”

Learn to Make Samoas: My Absolute Favorite Girl Scout Cookies

More than just addictive boxes of goodness, these cookies are sold annually by Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) as one of their major fundraisers for local Scout units. And the effects are widespread. I’m not exaggerating when I say people go bananas for these cookie boxes. According to Wikipedia, Girl Scout Cookie Sales estimate about 200 million boxes per year. If you’ve ever had these cookies, you’d know exactly why I turn into Cookie Monster once these cookies are in my sights.

“The epitome of American nostalgia, these cookies are sold by millions of American girls to support their girl scout troops and are a nationwide favorite. Americans look forward to the annual cookie sale – the one chance to buy a box of their favorites. Come learn more about this American tradition, or grab the chance to taste some of your favorites from home.” – The Hutong Kitchen

“Only one pie will outwit, outpie & outlast the rest!”

Instead of training for my Genghis Khan half marathon in the grasslands of Inner Mongolia as I originally planned to do last Wednesday night with Heyrobics‘ Running Team, I was summoned for pie jury duty by Beijing’s pie kings Matt & Andrew, co-founders of the Aussie meat pie cult Two Guys and a Pie. And yes, I do have my priorities in order, thank you very much.

This was not me giving in to gluttony, this is me fulfilling an honorable duty to help friends in need, to give closure to an unanswered question, to give the Beijing community what they want, what they need – a new pie winner!! This was a selfless act, an exemplary case of LumDimSum (once again) putting the needs of others before my own. And now that the deed has been done, I have taken it upon myself to share the results of this case with my dear LDS readers…

Mongolia’s rap stars “keep it real” with just a bit of bling

Mongolian Bling is a documentary that captures the fascinating hip hop culture in Mongolia, from its origins, sky-rocketing popularity and complex social context. It’s been screened all around the world and most recently was screened in part of the JUE | Music + Art 2013 festival at Yugong Yishan. If you missed that first screening last month, you’re in luck as The Hutong will be teaming up with JUEto host a second screening of this powerful film.

“The film jumps into the thriving music scene in the capital, Ulaanbaatar, and follows stars as they rap nationwide with their girls, cars, and jewels. But beyond this bling lies a failed democracy, and a dying ancient culture that the elders mourn the loss of. While many artists still aspire to the West, a handful are using hip hop to try and salvage their country’s flailing democracy, and bringing Mongolia’s rich musical history into their modern beats and rhymes.” – JUE Music + Art Festival

The film’s director/producer Benj Binkswill be bringing his film back to his roots to The Hutong, where he used to work and will be screening for the second time that will get started with a Mongolian-inspired cocktail and tapas (prepared by Benj himself), followed by the screening and an informal Q&A with Benj.

Early Easter Chicks Get the Worm!

Easter fun comes in many shapes and forms from died egg shells to festive cupcakes (photo above by Fat Bunny Bakery), there are plenty of Easter Egg Hunts and Sunday brunches available across Beijing.

Practically every hotel is hosting their own Easter brunch, but I choose to opt away from hotel-style buffet brunches and instead, I’ve put together my top picks for Easter activities/events in China’s capital.

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in True Irish Form: With Drinks

Before we get carried away with all the drink-heavy parties in the name of the patron saint of Ireland St. Patrick, let me first divert your attention to an important community event to help save a young girl with cancer.

Transported in two giant truckloads, there will be thousands of books to choose from at amazing prices with paperback books starting at RMB 10, hardbacks at RMB 20 and children’s books as little as RMB 1. The range of second hand books come in different languages and genres including but not limited to: fiction, art, travel, coffee table books, special interest, etc.

Homemade Australian meat (and dessert!) pies come courtesy of Two Guys and a Pie, who will be serving up loads of their popular classic “Slow-Loving Aussie” meat pie made from 100% pure beef brisket, fried onions in a slow simmered, homemade beef reduction, their brand-new “PSY PIE”, a Korean Chicken pie made from golden honey soy chicken filling, with a bibimb chili paste and word on the Hutong blog says that you can also expect a “seasonal creation surprise featuring ale” (how appropriate), a vegetarian option and, last but not least, their irresistible sweet apple pie to top you off for the ultimate pie feast.

With Spring just around the corner (the season for activity, a time of stirring and loosening of stored energy after the cold of winter) and an emphasis of health on my mind, I’m happy to spread the word about a FREE health talk presented by TCM practitioner and educator, Alex Tan of Straight Bamboo TCM Clinic aka my Health Hero.

The first time I met Alex Tan was this time last year when I showed up for his free health talk and since then, it’s had a powerful impact on my lifestyle. I’ve changed my eating and sleeping habits for the better and changed the way I think about one’s overall state of health and well-being.